Suqian (宿迁)

1. Introduction

Suqian City, historically known as Xiaxiang and Suyu, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province, the People's Republic of China, located in the northern part of Jiangsu Province. The city borders Xuzhou City to the northwest, Lianyungang City to the northeast, Huai'an City to the southeast, Chuzhou City of Anhui Province to the south, and Bengbu City and Suzhou City of Anhui Province to the southwest. Situated on the plains of Northern Jiangsu, it lies in the middle and lower reaches of the Yi-Shu-Si River system within the Huai River Basin, characterized by gentle terrain and a dense network of rivers. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the Old Course of the Yellow River, the Huaishu River, the Xinyi River, and other waterways traverse the area, with Hongze Lake to the south and Luoma Lake to the northwest. Suqian is a member of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, a National Excellent Tourism City, and a National Garden City. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty praised it as "the premier place for spring scenery on the first river and mountain." The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 1 Nanhu Road, Sucheng District.

Suqian is the hometown of Xiang Yu, the Conqueror of Western Chu. It boasts a civilization history of over 5,000 years and a city construction history of more than 2,700 years. Once the capital of the Zhongwu State, it has a long history and a rich cultural heritage, often hailed as "the pulse of Chinese civilization, the root of Jiangsu civilization, and the soul of Chu-Han culture."

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2. Historical Evolution

Fossils of gibbons discovered within the territory of Suqian date back more than 10 million years, making them among the earliest ancient ape fossils found in Asia to date. Along the banks of the Huai River, ancestors settled near the water as early as 50,000 years ago, known as the "Xiacao Bay Cultural Site." Legend has it that during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, the ancient Xu tribe thrived here. In ancient times, Suqian was the state of Zhongwu, and later the capital of the state of Su was moved here.

During the Qin Dynasty, Xiaxiang County was established. In the fourth year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty (113 BCE), the Sishui Kingdom established its capital here, passing through five generations and six kings over 132 years. During the Western Han Dynasty, Ling County was abolished and Xiaxiang County was established. Through the Eastern Han and Western Jin dynasties, by the first year of the Yixi era of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (405 CE), Xiaxiang County was renamed Suyu County (later also written as Suyu County), with its county seat ruins located at the southern foot of Gucheng Mountain in Zhenglou Town, Sucheng District. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Sui Dynasty, it remained Suyu County.

In the first year of the Baoying era of the Tang Dynasty (762 CE), to avoid the taboo of Emperor Daizong's name Li Yu, Suyu County was renamed Suqian County. From then on, through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it experienced repeated abolitions and reinstatements. Suqian boasts beautiful scenery and numerous attractions. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong made six southern tours, staying in Suqian five times, and praised it as "the premier place of spring scenery under heaven." Today, in Zaohu Town and Yanghua Town of Suyu District, the ruins of Qianlong's traveling palace and Yanghua traveling palace remain.

During the period from the War of Resistance against Japan to the Second Chinese Civil War, the area east of the Grand Canal was Suyu County, while the area west of the canal was once part of Sisu County. The area north of present-day Xiaodian to Xinan Town in Xinyi City, Xuzhou, was Subei County. From September 1945 to July 1946, Suqian City was established, belonging to Sisu County. In June 1946, Suqian County (including areas east and west of the canal) and the region south of the Xinyi River in Subei County were merged into Suqian County, under the Huaiyin Special District. In 1970, it became part of the Huaiyin Region. In 1983, it was placed under Huaiyin City. On December 31, 1987, with the approval of the State Council, Suqian County was abolished and the county-level Suqian City was established.

In July 1996, with the approval of the State Council, the county-level Suqian City was abolished and the prefecture-level Suqian City was established, governing Shuyang County (a province-administered county), Siyang County, Sihong County, Sucheng District, and Suyu County, with the municipal government located in Sucheng District. In 2004, some townships of Suyu County were transferred to Sucheng District, and the county was renamed Suyu District, with the district government still located in Shunhe Town.

3. Geography

3.1 Climate

|Month|Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec|Year| |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| |Average high °C (°F)|5.4(41.7)|8.6(47.5)|14.1(57.4)|20.6(69.1)|25.7(78.3)|29.5(85.1)|31.1(88.0)|30.4(86.7)|26.7(80.1)|21.6(70.9)|14.5(58.1)|7.7(45.9)|19.7(67.4)| |Daily mean °C (°F)|1.1(34.0)|3.9(39.0)|9.0(48.2)|15.3(59.5)|20.6(69.1)|24.8(76.6)|27.3(81.1)|26.5(79.7)|22.2(72.0)|16.5(61.7)|9.6(49.3)|3.2(37.8)|15.0(59.0)| |Average low °C (°F)|-2.4(27.7)|0.1(32.2)|4.6(40.3)|10.3(50.5)|15.8(60.4)|20.6(69.1)|24.1(75.4)|23.4(74.1)|18.5(65.3)|12.2(54.0)|5.6(42.1)|-0.4(31.3)|11.0(51.9)| |Average precipitation mm (inches)|22.7(0.89)|26.5(1.04)|41.9(1.65)|46.9(1.85)|76.4(3.01)|127.9(5.04)|211.1(8.31)|180.1(7.09)|91.5(3.60)|41.8(1.65)|35.2(1.39)|20.2(0.80)|922.2(36.32)| |Average relative humidity (%)|68|66|64|65|69|72|82|83|79|72|71|68|72|

4. Administrative Divisions

Suqian City currently administers 2 municipal districts and 3 counties.

Municipal Districts: Sucheng District, Suyu District
Counties: Shuyang County, Siyang County, Sihong County

In addition to the formal administrative divisions, the following economic functional zones have been established in the urban area of Suqian: National-level Suqian Economic and Technological Development Zone, National-level Suqian High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Yanghe New District, Hubin New District, and Suzhou-Suqian Industrial Park.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|--------------| | 321300 | Suqian City | Sùqiān Shì | 8,524.29 | 4,986,192 | Sucheng District | 223800 | 24 | 66 | 19 | | 321302 | Sucheng District | Sùchéng Qū | 916.70 | 1,034,392 | Shuangzhuang Subdistrict | 223800 | 9 | 9 | 3 | | 321311 | Suyu District | Sùyù Qū | 1,236.55 | 588,520 | Yuxin Subdistrict | 223800 | 3 | 11 | 3 | | 321322 | Shuyang County | Shùyáng Xiàn | 2,298.91 | 1,674,978 | Shucheng Subdistrict| 223600 | 6 | 25 | 8 | | 321323 | Siyang County | Sìyáng Xiàn | 1,378.22 | 829,562 | Zhongxing Subdistrict| 223700 | 3 | 9 | 1 | | 321324 | Sihong County | Sìhóng Xiàn | 2,693.91 | 858,740 | Dalou Subdistrict | 223900 | 3 | 12 | 4 |

Note: The figures for Sucheng District include 3 subdistricts and 1 township under the jurisdiction of the Suqian Economic and Technological Development Zone, as well as Yanghe Town under Yanghe New City. The figures for Suyu District include 3 towns and 1 township under the jurisdiction of Hubin New City.

5. Economy

Suqian is the city with the smallest economic aggregate in Jiangsu Province. Since its establishment as a city in 1996, its social economy has made significant progress, becoming a new engine for Jiangsu's economic development. In 2008, the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 67.52 billion yuan, with a per capita GDP of 27,501 yuan. By 2011, the regional GDP exceeded 130.481 billion yuan, representing a growth of 12.8%. The per capita GDP surpassed 27,501 yuan, equivalent to 4,258 US dollars. The total fiscal revenue amounted to 27.624 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 34.3%, with the general budget revenue reaching 12.098 billion yuan.

6. Transportation

• National Highway 235 passes through the area.
• Xuyan Railway: Suqian Station

7. Education

7.1 Basic Education

Municipality Directly Administered

• Suqian Chongwen Junior High School (formerly Zhongwu International)

Sucheng District

• Suqian Qinghua Middle School
• Suqian Experimental Primary School
• Suqian Zhongwu Junior High School
• Suqian Maling Middle School
• Jiangsu Suqian Middle School

Suyu District

• Jiangsu Suyu Middle School
• Suqian Wenchang Middle School

Shuyang County

• Shuyang Experimental Primary School
• Jiangsu Shuyang Middle School
• Shuyang Rudong Middle School

Siyang County

• Jiangsu Siyang Middle School
• Siyang Zhiyuan Middle School
• Siyang Taozhou Middle School
• Siyang Bilingual Experimental School
• Siyang Experimental Primary School

Sihong County

• Jiangsu Sihong Middle School
• Jiangsu Huaibei Middle School
• Sihong Yucai Experimental School

7.2 Higher Education

Sucheng District

• Suqian University
• Suqian Vocational and Technical College
• Suqian Higher Normal College
• Suqian Huaihai Technician College

Shuyang County

• Suqian Economic and Trade Vocational and Technical College

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 4,986,192 [10]. Compared with the 4,719,178 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 267,014 people over the ten years, representing a growth of 5.66%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.55%. Among them, the male population was 2,516,756, accounting for 50.47% of the total population; the female population was 2,469,436, accounting for 49.53% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 101.92. The population aged 0–14 was 1,170,957, accounting for 23.48% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,888,787, accounting for 57.94% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 926,448, accounting for 18.58% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 675,982, accounting for 13.56% of the total population. The urban population was 3,103,531, accounting for 62.24% of the total population; the rural population was 1,882,661, accounting for 37.76% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 4,973,466, accounting for 99.74%; the total population of various ethnic minorities was 12,726, accounting for 0.26%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population increased by 265,577, a growth of 5.64%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.02 percentage points; the total population of various ethnic minorities increased by 1,437, a growth of 12.73%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.02 percentage points.

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9. Culture

9.1 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Longwangmiao Travel Palace
• Xiaodian Qingdun Site
• Sanzhuang Tomb Complex

9.2 Scenic Spots and Historical Sites

9.2.1 Urban Area

• Xiang Yu's Former Residence
• Yanghe Distillery
• Zhenru Chan Temple
• Maling Park (housing the Northern Jiangsu Campaign Memorial Hall and Martyrs' Cemetery)
• Riverside Park
• Huanghe Park.
• Zaohe Qianlong Travel Palace (famous for Emperor Qianlong's stay during his southern tours)
• Lakeside Bathing Beach
• Zhangshan Forest Park (Santai Mountain Forest Park)
• Fanyin Temple

9.2.2 Sihong County

• Hongze Lake Wetland Nature Reserve

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Sucheng District

Shuyang County

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